By MICHAEL RUBINKAM, Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Federal officials said Tuesday a deadly outbreak of listeria probably began at a suburban Philadelphia meat plant now at the center of the largest meat recall in U.S. history.

A strain of the bacteria found in a drain at the Wampler Foods plant in Franconia is a genetic match of the strain that caused the outbreak, said Tom Skinner, spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Turkey deli meat from this plant is the most likely source of this outbreak," he said.

The outbreak is blamed for at least seven deaths and 39 illnesses in the Northeast since early summer. The bacteria is blamed for other deaths and illnesses in the region, but many of those cases were caused by other strains.

On Oct. 2, federal food inspectors were led to the Franconia plant after people sickened in the outbreak said they had eaten its products, including turkey pastrami, turkey ham and chicken breasts.

Tests turned up listeria in food processed at the plant Aug. 14 that was distributed nationwide to retail stores, restaurants and school cafeterias.

Pilgrim's Pride, the parent company of Wampler Foods, announced a nationwide recall Sunday of 27 million pounds of turkey and chicken products after tests found listeria in the drain.

A spokesman for Pilgrim's Pride, Michael Schiferl, said Tuesday the company had not been officially notified of the CDC's findings and had no immediate comment.

The recall covers ready-to-eat deli meat primarily sold under the Wampler brand, though it is also sold under a variety of private labels (see the list near the bottom of this page). The products include poultry sold at deli counters and sliced meat sold in individual packages.

Consumers were urged by the company to return any affected meat to the store or deli where it was purchased for a refund. The best way to know if a product falls under the recall is to ask if it comes from a package that bears the plant number P-1351 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Listeria can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea, according to the USDA. It can be fatal in young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems and can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Wampler Food Brands

Item Code

Description

Code Date

10003

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST W/WHT TKY 1 DIAM FRESH 2/9

Sell by 07/22/02 - 01/02/03

10004

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST OR AVG 2 DIAM FRESH 2/9

sell by 07/22/02 - 01/02/03

10005

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST OR S/L 3 DIAM FRESH 2/9

sell by 07/22/02 - 01/02/03

10006

NO BRAND SMK TKY BRST FRZ 4/9-11

mfg 04/30/02 -01/02/03

10007

NO BRAND TKY BRST FRZ 4/9-11

mfg 04/30/02 -01/02/03

10012

WAMPLER FOODS TK BST W/WHT TKY ADD JULCD 1 DIA FRZ 2/9

mfg 1192 - 2832

10019

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST OILB S/L 3 DIAM FRESH 2/9

sell by 07/08/02 - 12/19/02

10020

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST OILB S/L 4 DIAM FRESH 2/5-7

sell by 07/08/02 - 12/19/02

10021

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST OILB S/L 5 DIAM FRESH 2/7-9

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

10023

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST CAJUN FF 4 DIAM FRESH 2/6-7

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

10091

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM RND 15% FRESH 2/9

mfg 1192-2832

10100

WAMPLER FOODS CKN BRST OILB FRESH 2/6-7

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

11159

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST FF 3 DIAM FRESH

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

11180

WAMPLER FOODS CKN BRST PET OILB FRESH ¾

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

11824

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM 15% FRZ 2/9

mfg 1192-2832

13001

WAMPLER FOODS GMT CKN BRST SL FRESH 2/9

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

13005

WAMPLER FOODS CKN BRST SL B&R FRESH 2/8

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

14003

WAMPLER FOODS CKN BRST ROLL W/RIB MEAT FRESH 2/5

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

15102

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BOLO FRESH 4/5

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

15103

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BOLO FRESH 2/5

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

15104

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BOLO FRZ 2/5 - 9M EXP

mfg 1192-2832

16855

WAMPLER FOODS TKY WHL BROWN & ROASTED FRZ 4/12-14

mfg 1192-2832

16860

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SL SLCD FRESH 12/3

sell by 06/12/02-11/22/02

16861

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SMK SL SLCD FRESH 12/3

sell by 06/26/002-12/06/02

16862

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SL SLCD FRZ 12/3

mfg 1202-2832

16863

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SMK SL SLCD FRZ 12/3

mfg 1202-2832

16864

WAMPLER FOODS FC SMK TKY FRZ 4/12-14

mfg 1192-2832

16867

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/O SMK PAN FRZ 6/6 AVG

mfg 1199-2832

18503

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM SMK 12% FRESH 2/6

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

18554

WAMPLER FOODS TURKEY HAM +15% WATER

mfg 1192-2832

18558

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM (VA STATE) FRZ 4/10

mfg 04/29/02-10/10/02

18559

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM (FOR SCHLUNCH) FRZ 4/10

mfg 05/01/02-10/11/02

18560

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM SLICE N TACT 15% WA FRZ 4/5

mfg 05/01/02-10/11/02

18906 WAMPLER FOODS SMK TKY BRST BONELESS mfg 1192-2832

19407

WAMPLER FOODS DELI CHEF TKY ROLL FRESH 2/9

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

20091

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM RND 15% FRZ 4/10

mfg 1192-2832

20704

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM TVRN 20% WA FRZ 2/6

mfg 1192-2832

20806

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SL FRESH 12/3

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

20856

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SL FRZ 12/3

mfg 1192-2832

21019

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/L SMK FRESH 12/3

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

21069

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SL SMK FRZ 12/3

mfg 1192-2832

21132

WAMPLER FOODS TKY PASTRAMI FRESH ¾

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

21133

WAMPLER FOODS TKY PASTRAMI FRZ 3/4 JUL CODE

mfg 1192-2832

21203

WAMPLER FOODS TKY SALAMI FRESH 4/5

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

21205

WAMPLER FOODS TKY SALAMI FRESH 2/4-5

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

21206

WAMPLER FOODS TKY SALAMI FRZ 2/4-5 - 9M EXP

prod 05/02-10/02 expiry 02/03-07/02

21207

WAMPLER FOODS TKY SALAMI FRZ 2/4-5

mfg 1192-2832

21352 WAMPLER FOODS B&R WHL TKY FULLY COOKED Mfg 1192-2832

21357

WAMPLER FOODS TKY WHL B&R FRZ 4/10-12

mfg 1192-2832

21567

WAMPLER FOODS TKY WHL SMK FRZ 4/10-12

mfg 1192-2832

30105

WAMPLER FOODS TKY DRK CRD FRESH 2/7

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

30106

WAMPLER FOODS TKY DRK CRD FRZ 2/7 JUL CODE

mfg 1192-2832

30109

WAMPLER FOODS TKY PASTRAMI FRZ 3/4

mfg 1192-2832

30111

WAMPLER FOODS TKY PASTRAMI FRESH ¾

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

30178

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST OVNRST W/BROTH FRESH 3/4.75

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

30183

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SL SMK 1 DIAM FRZ 2/9

mfg 1192-2832

30229

WAMPLER FOODS TKY WHT SMK FRESH 2/8-9

sell by 07/01/02-12/12/02

30309

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST ITAL HERB 5 DIAM N FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

30586

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST W/S DELI RST PANRST FRESH 1/7

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

30856

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BOLO CN 4"D FZ

mfg 1192-2832

31100

WAMPLER FOODS HERT TKY ROLL WHT FRESH 2/10

mfg 1192-2832

31109

WAMPLER FOODS TKY WHITE ROLL FRZ 2/10

mfg 1192-2832

31110

WAMPLER FOODS TKY ROLL COMBO FRZ 2/10

mfg 1192-2832

31131

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SMK S/O 3 DIAM FRZ JUL CODE

mfg 1192-2832

31210

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM 17.5 FRESH 2/8

mfg 1192-2832

31219

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM 15%WA TVRN FRESH 2/8-9

mfg 1192-2832

31279

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BOLO DELI FRESH 2/10

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

31404

WAMPLER FOODS 5 DIAM S/L TKY BRST A-GR FRZ 2/8

mfg 1192-2832

31405

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/L OVNRST 4 DIAM FRESH 2/9

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

31406

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/L 5 DIAM FRESH

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

31407

WAMPLER FOODS DELI RST TKY BRST S/O COL PANRST FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31408

WAMPLER FOODS DELI RST TKY HAM COL BLK FOREST FRESH

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

31410

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/O OVEN ROASTED 4 DIAM FRESH

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

31411

WAMPLER FOODS DELI RST TKY BRST S/O COL PANRST/BWN

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31412

WAMPLER FOODS DRC TKY BRST S/O 4 LOBE PANRST 1/10-11

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31414

WAMPLER FOODS DELI RST TKY BRST S/O COL ROTISSERIE STY

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31415

WAMPLER FOODS DELI RST TKY BST COL CLASSIC SPICE FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31416

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/L BRWD PEPPERED FRESH 2/6

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31417

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/O 5 DIAM FRESH

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

31418

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SMK S/O 5 DIAM FRESH

mfg 06/24/02-12/05/02

31419

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SMK 3 DIAM FRESH

mfg 06/24/02-12/05/02

31420

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SMK OVNRST 2 DIAM FRESH 2/8

mfg 06/24/02-12/05/02

31422

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SMK S/L 4 DIAM FRZ

mfg 1192-2832

31424

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/L SMK 4 DIAM FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31425

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/O SMK 4 DIAM FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31426

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST HONEY CRD PETITE 4 DIAM FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31427

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/O HONEY SMK 4 DIAM FRESH

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

31428

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/O OVNBRN 4 DIAM FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31429

WAMPLER FOODS 4 DIAM TKY BRST S/L NO SALT FRZ 2/7.5

mfg 1192-2832

31431

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/L SMK 5 DIAM FRESH 2/9

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31474

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST PETITE S/L 4 DIAM FRESH

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

31491

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST O/R S/O 4 DIAM FRZ

mfg 1192-2832

31526

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST MESQ SMK HNY CRD 4 DIAM FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31591

WAMPLER FOODS BRST TKY S/L SMK 1 DIAM FRESH 2/9

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31595

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BST BRWN SUGAR 5 DIAM FRESH 2/8-9

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31606

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST HNY SMK FF 3 DIAM FRESH 2/8

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31613

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST S/L PANRST FRESH 2/7

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31616

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST HNYRST 5 DIAM FRESH

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31630

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST SMK S/O 4 DIAM FRZ

mfg 1192-2832

31631

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BST HNY CURED 4 DIAM FRZ

mfg 1192-2832

31671

WAMPLER FOODS TKY WHT ROLL FRESH

mfg 1192-2832

31672

WAMPLER FOODS TKY SMK WHT ROLL FRESH

mfg 1192-2832

31673

WAMPLER FOODS TKY SMK WHT ROLL FRESH BOX

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

31674

WAMPLER FOODS TKY BRST BRN & RST FRZ

mfg 1192-2832

31675

WAMPLER FOODS TKY DRUMSTICK SMK FRZ 30

mfg 1192-2832

31760

WAMPLER FOODS HOMESTYLE TKY BRST FRESH 2/4.5

mfg 06/24/02-12/05/02

70110

WAMPLER FOODS 2NDS TKY BRST S/L OVNRST 3 DIAM(10005)SS

mfg 1192-2832

80352

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM CHNK 20% WA FRESH 12/2

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

80353

WAMPLER FOODS TKY HAM 20% WA TVRN FRESH 2/6

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

Other Brands

Item Code

Description

Code Date

12953 & 6429534

BLOCK & BARREL TKY BRST OILB FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-11/10/02

12958 & 62429583

BLOCK & BARREL IMP TKY BRST SMK SO FRESH 2/8

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30257 & 2378271

BLOCK & BARREL SUP TKY S/O PANRST FRESH 2/6

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30258 & 2570158

BLOCK & BARREL SUP TKY BRST S/O NATBRWN FRESH 1/6

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30260 & 2378289

BLOCK & BARREL SUP TKY S/O SMK PANRST FRESH 2/6

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30261 & 2570174

BLOCK & BARREL SUP TKY BST S/O SMK NATBRN FRESH 1/6

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30268 & 2378297

BLOCK & BARREL IMP TKY BRST SL OVNRST FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30271 & 2812238

BLOCK & BARREL REL TKY BRST SL SMK FRESH 2/8.5

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30283 & 2527406

BLOCK & BARREL TKY ROTIS S/O PANRST FRESH 2/6

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30285 & 3444932

BLOCK & BARREL IMP TKY BRST HNY RST FRESH

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30286 & 3444668

BLOCK & BARREL IMP TKY BRST HICKORY SMK FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30391 & 2378321

BLOCK & BARREL CLSC TKY S/O PANRST FRESH 1/10

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30401 & 2378313

BLOCK & BARREL CLSC TKY S/O SMK FRESH 2/8

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30406 & 2378305

BLOCK & BARREL CLSC TKY BRST SL OVNRST FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30408 & 2378263

BLOCK & BARREL TKY HAM BLK FRST FRESH 2/5.5

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30651 & 1253236

BLOCK & BARREL CLSC TKY HAM 20% WA FRESH 2/6-7

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30652 & 1253228

BLOCK & BARREL CLSC TKY PASTRAMI FRESH ¾

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30655 & 1142876

BLOCK & BARREL CLSC TKY BOLB FRZ 2/10

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30662 & 2184083

BLOCK & BARREL REL TKY HAM-CN FRESH 2/8

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

30666 & 1131754

BLOCK & BARREL REL TKY WHITE ROLL FRZ 2/10

mfg 1192-2832

30673 & 1355528

BLOCK & BARREL REL TKY BRST WHT OVNRST FRESH 2/9

mfg 1192-2832

30674 & 3760691

BLOCK & BARREL CLS TKY BRST S/L OILB FRESH 2/9

mfg 1192-2832

30676 & 1031889

BLOCK & BARREL HERT TKY WHITE ROLL FRZ 2/10

mfg 1192-2832

30677 & 1043223

BLOCK & BARREL HERT TKY CB ROLL FRZ 2/10

mfg 1192-2832

30884 & 2378339

BLOCK & BARREL REL TKY BRST S/L FRESH 2/9 2378339

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

31303 & 6429575

BLOCK & BARREL IMP TKY BRST HNY SMK FRESH 2/8

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

31360 & 1519164

BLOCK & BARREL IMP TKY BRST S/O OILB FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

31372 & 3724143

BLOCK & BARREL TKY BRST MESQ SMK FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

31386 & 4026001

BLOCK & BARREL REL TKY BRST SMK FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

31471 & 7160823 SWIRL CLS CRACKED BLACK PEPPER TKY BRST mfg 1192-2832

31471 & 7160823

BLOCK & BARREL TKY BRST SWIRL PEPPERED FRESH

mfg 1192-2832

31472 & 7162183

BLOCK & BARREL TKY BRST SWIRL CAJUN FRESH

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

31597 & 8114183

BLOCK & BARREL TKY BRST SUP ALL NTRL S/O FRESH 2/7

mfg 1192-2832

31629 & 7135759

BLOCK & BARREL IMP TKY BRST S/O FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

31653 & 3816444

BLOCK & BARREL IMP TKY BRST S/L FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

31654 & 3816642

BLOCK & BARREL CLS TKY BRST S/L FRESH 2/9

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

10744

EXEC CHEF TKY BRST OILB - JUL DATE

mfg 2119-2283

10750

EXEC CHEF TKY BRST OILB - 45 SBDATE

sell by 06/13/02-11/24/02

10754

EXEC CHEF TKY BRST OILB - 50 SBDATE

sell by 06/18/02-11/29/02

10764

EXEC CHEF TKY BRST OILB - 50 SBDATE

sell by 06/18/02-11/29/02

11176

MID TKY BRST SL SMK FRZ 3/5

mfg 1192-2832

11178

MID TKY SAL FRZ 4/5

mfg 1192-2832

11179

MID TKY BOLO FRZ 4/5

mfg 1192-2832

13004

MC TURKEY WHOLE B&R FRZ

mfg 1192-2832

18572

MID TKY HAM FRZ 2/7

mfg 1192-2832

18906

MARAMOUNT SMK TKY BRST D-LOG BIN

mfg 1192-2832

20501

WALNUT CREEK TKY HAM 20%WA FRESH

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

21171

MID TKY PASTRAMI FRZ ¾

mfg 1192-2832

30001

VICTORY MKT OR FF TKY BRST SL FR2/7-9#

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

30005

GOLDEN ACRE TKY BRST S/L OVNRST FRESH 2/8-9

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

30200

BONO BBQ TKY BRST FRESH 2/9

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

30207

VP TKY WHT W/SKIN & BINDERS ADDED 2/8-9

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

30225

VP TKY BRST OVNRST W/WHT MT FRESH 2/8-9

sell by 07/22/02-01/02/03

30293

OLD NEIGHBORHOOD CK BST OILB FRESH 2/6-7

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

30296

OLD NEIGHBORHOOD TKY BST OILB THIN&TRIM

sell by 07/01/02-12/12/02

30442

FARMERS CHOICE TKY SALAMI CN FRESH 2/10

mfg 1192-2832

30820 & 7147549

BLC&BAR IMP TK BST S/O OILB PANRST 2/5-6

mfg 1192-2832

30849 & 56-7551

FARMERS CHOICE TKY PAST 4"D FSH CN 2/8

mfg 1192-2832

30946

OLD NEIGHBORHOOD TKY BRST S/L SMK LS FRESH 2/8

sell by 07/01/02-12/12/02

30948

OLD NEIGHBORHOOD TKY BRT S/L OVNRST LS FRESH 2/8

sell by 07/01/02-12/12/02

30975

KOHLER TKY BST S/L PANRST (3L) FRESH 1/7

sell by 06/24/02-12/05/02

31318

WEST BEEF TKY HAM RTL CHP/FRM FRESH 12/2

sell by 07/08/02-12/19/02

31637

PP TKY WHL SMK FRZ FC 4/8-10(ENGLISH)

mfg 1192-2832

31669

PP CAJUN STYLE TURKEY

mfg 1192-2832

31766

PP CAJUN STYLE TURKEY

mfg 1192-2832

31768 & 7086820

CLASSIC TKY DRUMSTICK SMK FRZ 30

mfg 04/30/02-10/10/02

85105

THUMANN EXEC CHEF TKY BST OILB-50 SBDATE

sell by 06/18/02

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)